Monday, February 21, 2011

Magdalena, New Mexico- haunting and amazing

Roughly an hour and 1/2 south of Albuquerque, lies the sleepy town of Magdalena, NM, teeming with history. Established in 1884, Magdalena was once a bustling, wealthy rail town, which supported mining communities such as Kelly, New Mexico on it's outskirts. Sadly Magdalena peaked in 1925. Many amazing buildings still remain within the small community which is nestled below the Magdalena Peak. My friend and I happened into town after a pretty good snow storm, and was able to catch some amazing shots of snow on the mountains, as well, as the town itself. We were unable to access Kelly, as the road had not been plowed, so we missed out on one of the most amazing old cemeteries in the state. (I visited as a kid.) So, it's my mission to one day go back and photograph Kelly. Magdalena did have a seriously impressive cemetery however.

I will let the photo's speak for themselves.



Magdalena Peak


Leaving town


I thought the children"s section of the current library was hauntingly beautiful.

























 
 

10 comments:

  1. OMG!!! You are on your way to a studio in Santa Fe! I love looking at them. :)

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  2. Yuo take some of the most awesome photos! I love them. :D

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  3. aww they probably paid a bunch for that cemetery sign just to have it spelled wrong :( I love the snowy house tree picture!

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  4. Since you photograph older buildings and towns in New Mexico...this might be of interest to you. Have you ever read Child of a Rainless Year, by Jane Lindskold? The latter half of the book is set in Las Vegas NM (which also peaked in the 20s and was a rail town).

    ...I'll shut up now. But if you ever did go and photograph Montezuma Castle, I'd love to see the photos. And if you find Phineas House, a whole lot of people will be amazed!!

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  5. @everyone..thank you so much for the kind words.

    @LiAnn, I have not heard of that book but you've spiked my curiosity. *runs for Nook!*

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  6. Beautiful photos, Wendy! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Wish all of the network of friends have a new start .
    hope you have a great 2011. Thanks for the link, sweetie!
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  8. WOW so beautiful!!! I love old towns( i know most are old ) but i mean old in spirt.. no modernized by society.. I actaully live in an old town Bordentown nj it dates back to 1682. I would love to send you pictures of my town as well as a brief history for you blog!!! Maybe some more small historic town here on the eastcoast!! Take care and fab site!!

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